Feature Articles
Food safety after a power outage
Adapted by Jessica Kovarik, RD, LD, Extension Associate, University of Missouri Extension, from materials written by Janet M. Hackert, Regional Nutrition and Health Education Specialist and Tammy Roberts, MS, RD, LD Nutrition and Health Education Specialist, Barton County University of Missouri Extension
When the power goes out, it’s good to know which foods are safe to eat and which are not, especially when it comes to foods in the refrigerator and freezer. If the power does go out, whether from an ice storm, brown-out, or just by accident, here are some tips on how to safely handle the food that is in it.
Once the electricity goes off, a full freezer will hold temperatures for 48 hours. A half-full freezer will hold a freezing temperature for 24 hours. You can extend this time by filling the freezer with newspaper or blankets. A refrigerator can only maintain a safe temperature for around four hours. It is important to only open the freezer or refrigerators doors when absolutely necessary.
Freezers
When the freezer has been off, the basic guide in
determining a food’s safety is whether or not it still
contains ice crystals. If it does, the food (except
seafood) should be refrozen as quickly as possible. It
is a good idea to mark each package with an X, label as
“Refrozen,” or otherwise designate that these items
should be eaten first and as soon as possible.
If any food has thawed and there are no ice crystals in it, it should be thrown away. If there is meat juice on neighboring packages or at the bottom of the freezer, throw out any meat in question that may have thawed.
It is also OK to re-freeze if the thermometer in the freezer reads 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less if the power has been out for less than two hours. Once food has been above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours, it should be discarded. This is also true if the power comes back on without realizing power was restored.
Refrigerators
Refrigerator temperature should be kept at 40 degrees
Fahrenheit or colder.
If the power is out for 2 hours or more, perishable foods in the fridge should be discarded. These foods include:
- Meats of any sort - fresh, leftover, canned and open, lunch meats or meat in salad. Unopened canned meat, like unopened canned tuna, should not be affected.
- Eggs, whether raw, hard-cooked or in a casserole or other dishes.
- Dairy products, specifically liquid and creamy dairy products like milk, cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, and yogurt.
- Other soft cheeses including Brie, Colby, Monterey Jack, ricotta, mozzarella, and Muenster. Shredded cheese should also be discarded.
- Opened, creamy salad dressings.
- Stews, casseroles, soups and leftover cooked foods like vegetables, tomato sauce, cookie dough.
The following items would be safe if held at temperatures above 40 degrees:
- peanut butter
- butter or margarine
- fresh or dried fruits
- open/canned fruit and fruit juices
- jelly
- relish
- catsup
- taco sauce
- barbecue sauce
- pickles
- opened vinegar-based dressing
- raw vegetables
- baked goods
- hard cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, parmesan, Romano and provolone
- processed cheeses
The Food Safety and Inspection Service’s Web site has a nice chart on specific foods and recommendations on salvaging or discarding after a power outage. View it at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/keeping_food_Safe_during_an_emergency/.asp.
You cannot smell or taste harmful bacteria. If you are not sure how long a food has been above 40 degrees, be safe and throw it out. Remember, “when in doubt, throw it out!”
Last update: Tuesday, May 05, 2009
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